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Parkinson's Disease

National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

ImportantIt is possible that the main title of the report Parkinson's Disease is not the name you expected.

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive neurologic condition characterized by involuntary trembling (tremor), muscular stiffness or inflexibility (rigidity), slowness of movement and difficulty carrying out voluntary movements. Degenerative changes occur in areas deep within the brain (substantia nigra and other pigmented regions of the brain), causing a decrease in dopamine levels in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which is a chemical that sends a signal in the brain. Parkinsonian symptoms can also develop secondary to hydrocephalus (a condition in which the head is enlarged and areas of the brain accumulate excessive fluids, resulting in an increase in pressure on the brain), head trauma, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis), obstructions (infarcts) or tumors deep within the cerebral hemispheres and the upper brain stem (basal ganglia), or exposure to certain drugs and toxins. Parkinson's disease is slowly progressive and may not become incapacitating for many years.

Supporting Organizations

Alzheimer's Foundation of America

322 8th Ave, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10001

USA

Tel: (866)232-8484

Fax: (646)638-1546

Tel: (866)232-8484

Email: info@alzfdn.org

Website: http://www.alzfdn.org

Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia & Parkinson Foundation

c/o P.O. Box 38016

Albany, NY 12203

Tel: (212) 509-0995 x204

Fax: (212)682-6156

Email: lfreeman@michaeljfox.org

Website: http://www.dystonia-parkinson.org

Child Neurology Foundation

201 Chicago Ave, #200

Minneapolis, MN 55415

USA

Tel: (952)641-6100

Fax: (952)881-6276

Tel: (877)263-5430

Email: jstone@childneurologyfoundation.org

Website: http://www.childneurologyfoundation.org

Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center

PO Box 8126

Gaithersburg, MD 20898-8126

Tel: (301)251-4925

Fax: (301)251-4911

Tel: (888)205-2311

Website: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/

Movement Disorder Society

555 E. Wells Street

Suite 1100

Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823

Tel: (414)276-2145

Fax: (414)276-3349

Email: info@movementdisorders.org

Website: http://www.movementdisorders.org

NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

NIAID Office of Communications and Government Relations

5601 Fishers Lane, MSC 9806

Bethesda, MD 20892-9806

Tel: (301)496-5717

Fax: (301)402-3573

Tel: (866)284-4107

Email: ocpostoffice@niaid.nih.gov

Website: http://www.niaid.nih.gov/

NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

P.O. Box 5801

Bethesda, MD 20824

Tel: (301)496-5751

Fax: (301)402-2186

Tel: (800)352-9424

Website: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/

National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.

1501 NW 9th Ave/Bob Hope Road

Miami, FL 33136-1494

Tel: (305)243-6666

Fax: (305)243-6073

Tel: (800)327-4545

Email: contact@parkinson.org

Website: http://www.parkinson.org

New Horizons Un-Limited, Inc.

811 East Wisconsin Ave

P.O. Box 510034

Milwaukee, WI 53203

USA

Tel: (414)299-0124

Fax: (414)347-1977

Email: horizons@new-horizons.org

Website: http://www.new-horizons.org

Northwest Parkinson's Foundation

400 Mercer Street

#401

Seattle, WA 98109

Tel: (206)748-9481

Tel: (877)980-7500

Email: info@nwpf.org

Website: http://www.nwpf.org

Parkinson's Disease Foundation, Inc.

1359 Broadway

Suite 1509

New York, NY 10018

Tel: (212)923-4700

Fax: (212)923-4778

Tel: (800)457-6676

Email: info@pdf.org

Website: http://www.pdf.org

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). For a full-text version of this report, go to www.rarediseases.org and click on Rare Disease Database under "Rare Disease Information".

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

Last Updated: 4/7/2008Copyright 2001 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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